Wednesday, December 23, 2009

origami cranes

I love origami cranes. I'm not super into the Japanese culture, although I do love much of their culture and traditions. And if you're looking for a book about the kamikaze bombers from WWII, this really helps explain their point of view, without diminishing the American lives they destroyed.

Recently, maybe in the last year, I've seen them used a lot as decoration. First, in an Anthropolgie store window, and then several times on Apartmenttherapy.com.
For my nephew's baptism I made him a mobile with fabric cranes that this lovely etsy shop sells. The pictures aren't amazing, but A helped me make the mobile and in person it is lovely. I'll try to post pictures of it a little later.
I was doing some research on them, and here is a nice article about the history of origami, which I found both fascinating and instructive. Then, as I was researching the cranes, which are my favorite, I found an saying that if you make 1000 cranes your wish will be granted...interesting challenge. In the end these two pictures have been a huge inspiration to me:

{source}

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Now what should I wish for?

Friday, December 18, 2009

More lighting...

After much deliberation, I've decided this is the chandelier I want in my kitchen. Adam also agrees it is pretty fantastic, now to come up with the money...


Friday, November 20, 2009

Lighting makes a home

So...I think one thing that has always bothered me about renting is not liking the fixtures and such that "come with the place." I've decided we are going to change our the lighting in our new apartment, to really make it ours, because really a home is about the people in it, and I want a home not just a resting place. I'm inspired by this lighting source.







I mean what is not to like!?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bye bye house


So, we're not buying the house. Trust me when I say the face above describes me during the process of trying to buy it, NOT how I feel now. We were trying to save a sinking ship and in the process drowning ourselves. Thus, we backed out and now just need to find a place to live by the end of November. The sense of relief we both feel is enormous. And, while I am super disappointed, it is better this way. Someday we'll buy a house, and when we do we will be a buying force to be reckoned with because we are incredibly knowledgeable about the process now.

Anyway, just focusing on finding an apartment before our lease is up! Wish us luck!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

globe lamp


The blog world really seems to be into globes. I had no idea they were such a hit. When I was little I always wanted the globe that lit up, and now as I'm trying desperately to buy this house, and if I get it, I'm going to get one, because quite frankly why not? Here are few cool pictures from flikr:



my hair


So, anyone who has known me longer than, say, three months knows I'm always changing my hair. If its long I want it short, if its short I'm growing it out, yada yada yada!

If I tried to go back and describe all my hair changes it would take too long and bore you, so suffice it is to say I'm in a growing out stage.

Right now the goal is the messy bun:



Personally speaking, I don't need directions, I've been doing this for a long time, but the dirty hair thing seems weird to me, but at the same time I want to try it...new goal dirty hair. (My husband is going to be as excited about this as he was the no deodorant thing I started doing in August!)

Friday, October 23, 2009

oh diamonds, so pretty


I mean can you blame a girl for wishing...

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I have a little thing for pumpkins.

So, as a decorative element I love "the pumpkin". I love their shape and colors and ultimate coolness, which is one reason I really love the fall season because I love the pumpkin. I wish pumpkins had been the center piece of my wedding. Actually I wish these had been...

How outstanding would that have been? Oh how I wish I'd stuck to my first theme of fall, and not gotten so distracted, by what I don't know, maybe the cost, maybe the frustration, but I should have just gone Fall and stuck with it. Don't get me wrong my wedding was lovely, but when I think back on it, I think of all these other cool ideas. Perhaps my husband and I should get married again. Scrap that lets just have a party, my wedding day was too emotional (all good) to do again!

Anyway, so you get it, I love pumpkins. However, we live in an apartment right now, and I'm not willing to do jack-o-lanterns because of the fruit flies, so this is my alternative:

Isn't he cute? He was my grandmother's, and I love him. However, I did buy these beauties, and we're going to paint them soon. (I hope).
I'm also rather digging this idea, but I wonder how much glitter it would take for one of these 20 lb pumpkins?

I did buy a bunch of funky gourds, maybe I'll glitter one of them instead.

There are also these super cool pumpkins I've found and I've been wanting as an all year decoration, but the husband thinks they are cool, but only for the fall. I wonder what the rest of the world thinks about these pumpkins as casual house decorations?

Friday, October 16, 2009

Okay, these are adorable


I realize I don't have children, and they aren't even a concept for us right now, but these prints would be precious! Even as they grow up the paintings would be lovely.

I also saw these beautiful oil paintings and felt they really had a lovely and childlike feel:



A good friend of mine with kids always has the best art in her children's room. I hope my kids are lucky enough to have something inspirational as well.

bubbles, bubbles, my bubbles



So, while I get this isn't completely logical, I mean no curtain...that will be wet, not to mention you can't shower. Don't get me wrong, this girl loves her baths, but still for an everyday bathing experience it isn't practical. HOWEVER, I simply love this. Perhaps it would be something wonderful if you had this as the tub and a separate shower, which I totally want some day when, you know, I can afford things like two bathing mechanisms in one large bathroom!

Either way it makes me think luxurious thoughts which is a nice way to wind down at the end of the day. Perhaps a bubble bath is just what I need on this rainy Friday night!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Shhh! Don't tell him...

So, a while ago I was told by the husband that he didn't like those old 1950s glass door knobs. At the time I just assumed it was a character flaw that I could fix later. But, now I'm started to get concerned. Was he serious? Was it a joke? Can he change?

I mean look at how great these are:



{Source}


After reading this article, I'm even more sure that I want to start scavenging flea markets and antique stores to find them, because this chica isn't paying $500 for a door knob, I mean PALEASEEE!
Once we move into the new abode, I think one day they'll just start showing up...the question is will he notice? And if he does what will be his response? Sometimes we play these passive aggressive games. Like the quilt on the bed, I like it folded a certain way and he likes it a different way, so depending on who makes the bed that is how it gets folded. Would he start silently switching the door knobs, just as I plan to "silently"/not tell him about it?

Only the future tells ladies and gentlemen...

Friday, October 9, 2009

THE FIRST BOX!

I realize in about 1 month this won't be news anymore;
however, for now I'm quite excited to announce that hubby has packed the first of oh-
so-many boxes. Given we don't move until Nov. 30th, but his little brother wanted this
bookshelf so we loaded the books, and the shelf is getting a new owner this weekend.

Woot~ Woot!

This is the shelving I'm hoping for in the new house:



Or:


Which ever ends up fitting better!

Anyone have any fabulous shelving suggestions?

Monday, October 5, 2009

ideas and inspiration- part 2

I couldn't resist posting this fabulous idea...

The first picture is a hall closet, that we are removing the door to and then using the idea from the second picture, with the egg-olive wallpaper as the backsplash. I am quite excited for the possibilities.

If you are thinking, why are you concerned with a closet when you haven't even closed or started knocking out walls...because that is how I'm keeping sane!

5 wonderfully, blissful years

My love and I have been together 5 years, non-stop today. And to celebrate...


Dairy Queen dipped cones (and kisses)..


And Bauer got a kiddy cone too! I love you babe! Here is to 50 more!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Desperately want for the new house, but can't afford yet...

1. This awesome dog bowl.

2. These super funky terrariums.

3. These curtains for the living room.

4. This lamp for my office.

5. And these super duper groovy hanging pots (normally I hate hanging pots).

Some day (She says dreamily)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

ideas and inspiration- part 1

This image from an apartmenttherapy.com post a few months ago, and it is our current inspiration for the guest bathroom. The master bathroom is connected to the master bedroom and that color scheme is black and white with red accents.

I know you're supposed to have everything blend together, but I like to many different colors. However, our first floor will all be very matchy-matchy. Think slate grey with colorful POPS!@#!@$@#$
Yes, that was intentional.


Anyway, until construction begins and life as I know is gone, you be getting little snippets of our taste. Also, our one year anniversary is quickly approaching (where the heck has the year gone? honestly...best year of my life.) The paper anniversary. I bought A's gift ages ago. AND i can't wait to give it to him!

Friday, October 2, 2009

oh no where did september go?

So, I've been gone for awhile, given that no one but my endearing husband reads this I'm not too worried about my fans; however, if you are interested in the WHY this is your answer:
We are in the arduous process of buying a house. Did I mention that it is tedious and frustrating? Have I said anything about how complicated a 203k loan process can be? Have a waxed poetic about the difficulty of working with HUD home inspectors? No, well let me tell you its like being the circus conductor person-thing. You know what I mean...awww, the ringleader. Seriously, if it wasn't for my handsome and extremely capable husband I'd (still) be in the gutter crying. Fortunately, when he found me there, he told me to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.

Thus, despite starting grad school, working part time, and doing 16 hours a week of internship, I am also in the process of buying a foreclosed house that needs LOTS of loving...hmmm, have I said that yet? That it is in dire straights? Here is my best example: I won't set my bag down in the house, but I will at the metro stations! Also, I always use hand sanitizer after I leave.

If you're wondering why we bought this house, its because we both had imaginary friends when we were little. Curious about the relevance? We can see the potential, and this little darling has SO, SO much. Three bedroom, two full baths, 1 half bath, basement (with knotty pine wood paneling, oh yeah, there is character), back yard with off street parking, in DC, close to a Metro, a sky light, wood floors, and that is just the bones.

But, as soon as my bebe saw this place he knew it would be good for us, and the ideas for fixing it up are just brimming over the top. Seriously, I can't wait for the papers to be signed and the construction to start. I'm sure from my description you can tell we are basically gutting it. Only one wall is coming down but the kitchen and bathrooms are gone, literally it is all coming out, there is some fine red shag carpeting to be pulled, doors and windows: replaced, walls industrial cleaner and then primer and then paint, tacky back Florida room that slants down toward the bottom: GONE (and when the second phase of construction happens a sun room will be added, but in the beginning it will just be a uncovered back porch), carport and scary shack in the back: GONE, garden needs to be planted, fun stuff happening with that wood paneling, and a brand new kitchen from floor to ceiling everything is being removed giving us so many, many options. I just can't wait.

This is just the beginning, and although I'm overwhelmed, I'm writing this all down, because I know the end result will be beautiful.

So, if I'm not around much I apologize, but it doesn't mean I'm not busy being creative or cooking. I've been doing both, but the idea of blogging is lost on me sometimes.

Friday, August 21, 2009

more obsession with the chair

So, sense most people have told me they don't really care for my awesome rocker a few posts back, I just want it to be known that other people really do like it and look at how versatile it is:

(photos from apartmenttherapy.com)

See the rocker is both sweet and sexy!

ps I want a fireman's pole in my home. Please and thank you.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Hmmm...fake flower conundrum

So, if you asked me "Chelsea, do you like fake flowers?" My answer would be "hell, no. They are tacky and cheap looking." However, I found these wooden flowers, and I bought them on a whim, and now I kinda like them. Especially in this "not really useable" pitcher that we bought at this cool art store in Akron, OH. Your thoughts? Are fake flowers always a NO! or is that only silk flowers?

If only I had $400...sigh


So, yesterday at the Georgetown Flea Market I saw two of these Bertoia Diamond Lounge Chair, which were made in the 50s. I've seen them before on Chair Whore and I really like them (although they do nothing for hubby who, despite the year, thinks they are too modern). When I saw them yesterday, in excellent condition, I tried to not get too excited, because I didn't want to alert the other onlookers to such a great find. So, I asked the seller the price: 200 a piece. That is a freaking steal. I mean way to much for my current pocketbook, but sweet Baby Jesus that is a deal, usually they are like 900 a piece. Anyway, a girl can dream. Its nice to know someone will have these lovely chairs at a (relatively) lovely price.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Awesomely productive weekend...

: Framed the prints from Peru that Adam and I bought.
: Homemade place mates...pretty cool if I do say so myself (finished product below).
: Adam made yummy bread from the book I bought a few weeks ago. Its no kneading necessary!
: The cool place mates with sandwiches made from Adam's perfect bread.
: Adam's find at the Georgetown Flea Market.
: My find at the Georgetown Market.

So, I have a huge problem with not finishing projects, and my husband is great at lighting a fire under me by giving me an incentive. If I framed the paintings from Peru and made the place mats that I bought fabric for three months ago, then I can get the awesome rocking chair from a few blogs back when we move. Thus the pictures are framed and we've eaten two meals off the mats. I'm super happy with the end results.  Although, what I'm most excited for are the cool things we found at the market...I'll eventually get this poster I bought framed and show ya'll that as well. Until then you'll find me juicing with my cool antique juicer. 

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Rhubarb where have you been my whole life?


So, I have never had rhubarb, but it has always been a curious thing for me. All summer I've been reading blogs about women who ADORE it, so finally I went to the farmers market and fell in love with it simply because of the color...very cool. But then, oh then, I made this strawberry-rhubarb crumble, and now I'm infatuated. Simple delicious. It is so delightful that my tongue and taste buds are going crazy. Tangy and sweet...truly a lovely thing is happening in my mouth while I eat what is now my favorite summer dessert. Well that is until I make more cobbler!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

chair debate










Is this chair one of the coolest things you've ever seen? Or, is it a crazy, weird should be stuck in a corner chair?

You choose and help this household come to an agreement!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Peaches 'n cream...southern style

SO, I've been baking up a summer frenzy since I returned from Peru; however, my peach pie is the first you're seeing of the creations. At a certain point in my life I realized if I don't indulge in the tastes of a southern summer then the preceeding seasons just don't go as well. Thus, Thursday I went to a farmer's market in Chinatown and bought some delicious looking peaches, and made my grandma's peach pie. Only, it is tiny because I was short on cash and couldn't afford 10 peaches...ooops, still yummy though!
In fact I'm eating it hot from the oven right now, with some vanilla ice cream melting on top. Oh God it is that good.

While at the market purchasing peaches, I couldn't resist these tomatoes, I mean who could? The perfect summer salad...really, I only added lettuce to make it less of an indulgence and more of a meal.

What foods say "summer" for you?